PORTSMOUTH, New Hampshire (CNN) - Hillary Clinton became visibly emotional at a New Hampshire campaign event today after a friendly question from a voter.

At the close of a Portsmouth campaign stop, Marianne Pernold-Young, 64, asked Clinton: "How do you do it? How do you keep up... and who does your hair?"

Clinton began noting that she had help with her hair on "special days," and that she drew criticism on the days she did not. Then she added: "It's not easy, and I couldn't do it if I just didn't, you know, passionately believe it was the right thing to do.

"You know, I have so many opportunities from this country, I just don't want to see us fall backwards," she said, her voice breaking a bit. The audience applauded.

"This is very personal for me, it's not just political, it's [that] I see what's happening, we have to reverse it," she said emotionally, adding that some "just put ourselves out there and do this against some pretty difficult odds.

"But some of us are right and some of us are wrong. Some of us ready and some of us are not. Some of us know what we will do on day one, and some of us really haven't thought that through enough...

"So as tired as I am - and I am. And as difficult as it is to try and keep up what I try to do on the road, like occasionally exercise and try to eat right - it's tough when the easiest food is pizza - I just believe so strongly in who we are as a nation. So I'm gonna do everything I can and make my case and you know the voters get to decide."

The New York senator is under pressure after some weekend surveys showed opponent Barack Obama with a sudden double-digit edge, with less than a day to go until the New Hampshire primary.

At a New Hampshire campaign event, presidential rival John Edwards told reporters he was unaware of Clinton's emotional reaction and would not respond to it, but added, according to CNN's Dugald McDonnell: "I think what we need in a commander in chief is strength and resolve, and presidential campaigns are a tough business, but being President of the United States is also a very tough business. And the President of the United States is faced with very, very difficult challenges every single day, difficult judgments every single day."

soundoff(926 Responses)

hillary is a phoney
she would say or do anything to get elected
i had enough of the clinton's 7 years ago, hoped i'd never see any of them again

bill clinton disgraced the office and weakened the presidency

hillary cant have it both ways – either she's a part of that fiasco, or she's not. if she is, i dont want her. if shes not, i dont want her.

January 7, 2008 03:47 pm at 3:47 pm |

Mike in Kentucky

I don't believe the article said that Senator Clinton collapsed into hysterical sobbing when asked this question about how she kept on going and who fixed her hair.

Perhaps I need ro re-read, but I think the story said her voice broke, and her eyes "glistened" with tears.

Come on people, let's stick to the issues and drop the double standard.

John Edwards, the King of Angry Men, is called passionate, but Senator Clinton, responding forcefully to his attack in the recent debate was derided for being angry in her response.

Now she shows an emotional moment and by gosh she's accussed of fakery, unfitness for office and the emotional inability to face tough situations.

Please, which way is it...is she too hard or is she too soft?

She is a person with feelings, just like everyone who posts here.

Let's just try to keep it real.

January 7, 2008 03:47 pm at 3:47 pm |

Joel, Miami

Hillary Clinton did not stage this emotional moment, and she didn't lose control either, i've seen 6 foot 5, 235 quarterbacks cry after a loss and still win the Heisman Trophy,does that mean he's not qualified to play the NFL, its bull...and Hillary more than anyone is probably kicking her own butt, because the last thing she wanted to look was weak or emotional....but she's more real than people think, and she's willing to do whatever it takes to lead our country, by the way everyone keeps saying "sorry Mrs Clinton, Obama will be the next president," I'm a white male, dating a black male, but he and I both agree that if Obama receives this nomination he will have NO NO NO NO chance of becoming the President of the U.S. so if you want a demorat in office you better start weighing your mind on choosing Hillary or Mr. John Edwards, those are your two choices who could win. By the way Hillary is receiving a large number of superdelegates, and has 20 states where she is clearly leading for Feb 5th...i urge her to push on and keep fighting until then. No one likes a quitter.

January 7, 2008 03:48 pm at 3:48 pm |

Erin

This is the most disgusting display of misogyny I have seen thus far from the media! The woman is not crying...she is not overly emotional....she is not weak. She is not a man. Would she be criticized and insulted if she were a man??? NO. When Obama appeared on Oprah and teared up during their "Oprah Moment" was he called weak? NO. These comments and the media spin on this "breakdown" are the reason she is behind in the polls. This country still can not handle the thought of a woman in the White House. The media needs to be held accountable for this obvious and gregarious display of sexism. Don't feed the Spin Machine. This is not a "breakdown". She is not "weak". If a man can cry over a ballgame and still be called strong, a woman should certainly be able to speak emotionally about her love of country without facing sexist slurs. She is a strong, intelligent, and capable woman whether you choose to vote for her or not.

January 7, 2008 03:48 pm at 3:48 pm |

nightmare in New York

Senator Barack Obama, has something that money just can't buy!

January 7, 2008 03:48 pm at 3:48 pm |

Mark-Tulsa, OK

Did she cry while running the "Silence Bills Girls" squad when she was first lady in Arkansas and White House? She is more sick and evil than Bill. Changes colors with the season. The fact is people see through her and no longer buy into her insulting the voters.

America has had enough of power elite jerk offs selling out this country.

January 7, 2008 03:49 pm at 3:49 pm |

LAB

Great acting job. If you are gonna do this don't go around trying to make people feel sorry for you. Tired? Oh my God!!! If she thinks she's tired now how does she expect to lead the Worlds Superpower. Me thinks we need (deserve) someone who doesn't whine quiet so much.

January 7, 2008 03:49 pm at 3:49 pm |

Josh (Miami, FL)

What is wrong with you all bashing Hillary like this??? I'm personally not planning to vote for her either, but this woman has done nothing but serve our country her entire life (even while standing by a President who was cheating on her). What have you all done in your lives?? I'm sure it's nothing that will be anywhere near as influential and impacting as she has.

And if you want to justifiably bash any First Lady, bash Laura Bush for blindly supporting her idiot husband who's been destroying this country; or Lynn Cheney for marrying a murderous evil freak.

January 7, 2008 03:49 pm at 3:49 pm |

Matt, Canoga Park CA

So Cold and Calculating. The last thing we need is a president who cries at the simple questions.

The only time I want to see Hillary cry is Wednesday morning when she loses again and realizes she has no shot at being president and drops out.

She can cry all she wants then and I will love it.

But the cold and calculating cry? You have been hanging around with too many hollywood actors Hillary. Save the fake tears for the concession speech.

January 7, 2008 03:49 pm at 3:49 pm |

LAB

Great acting job. If you are gonna do this don't go around trying to make people feel sorry for you. Tired? Oh my God!!! If she thinks she's tired now how does she expect to lead the Worlds Superpower. Me thinks we need (deserve) someone who doesn't whine quiet so much.

January 7, 2008 03:49 pm at 3:49 pm |

Max

What is the big deal if she loses. she will go back home with her big house,with secret services guards around her.she needs to tell her daughter that she is a senator,president nominee,first lady and you father was the President of United States of American and tell her daughter to have some kids so she could have some grand babies.

January 7, 2008 03:51 pm at 3:51 pm |

Elinda

I am sure all of you wonderful people realize that all your negative chatter contributes to the hate and violence in our world. It is sad that so many are numb to the passion of others unless some celebrity tells them what to do!

I am a life-long Democrat and I believe that Hillary Clinton is the best candidate the Democrats have put forth in the last 50 years. Do I have a problem with her getting a little teary-eyed, absolutely not. I feel her passion and I am with her all the way.

January 7, 2008 03:51 pm at 3:51 pm |

parforthecourse

IF THE DEMOCRATS ARE NOT CAREFUL - WOMEN WILL SIT OUT THIS ELECTION IF SOMEONE DOES NOT STAND UP AND RESPECT HER RIGHT TO RUN.

WHERE IS EDWARDS - HE STOOD UP FOR OBAMA IN THE DEBATES?

THEY ARE TRYING TO HUMILIATE HER......AND WITH HER GOES A VERY IMPORTANT VOTING BLOC.

LADIES DO NOT LET IT HAPPEN

January 7, 2008 03:51 pm at 3:51 pm |

Gipper, St. Ann, MO

We have to vote for Hillary, the sweet innocent helpless Senator from New York. BLAH! All of these mean men are bullying up on her and not letting her simply walk back down 1600 Pennsylvania Ave to the White House. We all know what Harry Truman said...

January 7, 2008 03:51 pm at 3:51 pm |

Tim, CA

She should be crying because of the mistakes she made in incorrectly attacking Barack Obama on his record. She talked about his vote on the Patriot Act (which she voted for as well), and voting on troop funding. Barack Obama was a part of a filibuster on the bill, and only voted for it after the filibuster failed and a civil liberties expansion was added on to the bill. On the second issue, Barack Obama felt that we shouldn't be punishing the troops for our presidents failure, and fund the troops so they can do their job properly. Would she rather have our troops have NO armor and fight with sticks? I think funding the troops is, and was, the proper thing to do. Since he started his Senate term, he has called for withdrawal from Iraq. Never has he said we should leave our troops there with nothing. Way to go Hilary.

Obama '08

January 7, 2008 03:51 pm at 3:51 pm |

Jeff, Boston MA

BOO HOO. if this is what happens now, what does she do when a nuclear armed Pakistan falls apart and Iran becomes an even greater risk??? I dont think they will pause to consider the fact that our President is sad and having trouble dealing with stress. This is the worst thing she could have done.

A complete lack of respect -for any candidate- is gone from our country. We are bitter, cruel, uneducated, uninformed and whining. When did we become so pathetic?

Lets keep in mind, right now- as we gossip about politician's haircuts and their eating habits that our country is fighting in an illegal war thats killing young American men and women- not to mention our "collateral" damages.

Start asking the tough questions, demand real answers and quit being the pawns in such silly media rhetoric.

January 7, 2008 03:52 pm at 3:52 pm |

parforthecourse

THANK YOU JOSH FROM MIAMI

I COULD NOT HAVE SAID IT BETTER

January 7, 2008 03:52 pm at 3:52 pm |

Anthony

Anybody who will change their vote over crying shouldn't be voting to begin with.

January 7, 2008 03:53 pm at 3:53 pm |

Dan, TX

The vast majority of Obama supporters have great respect for Senator Clinton. She is an extremely strong and capable woman with a keen managerial skills. Those criticizing her in general do not reflect Obama's views or the views of most Obama supporters. However, you will not that some supporters of all the candidates sometimes say silly things on these blogs.

Obama has accomplished great things in his several thousand votes as state and US Senator. He has a long record that has been examined intensely, and as you can see from the blogs, people distort that record just as much as Clinton's opponents distort her record.

If you want the truth, go to the campaign web sites and learn it. You will then understand why the more people learn about Obama, the more support he gets. He is truly a great patriot and the democrat who will actually be able to deliver common policy goals shared by the democratic candidates.

The reason the race hasn't focused so much on policies and plans is that there isn't all that much difference between them, they are all in agreement. So, what we need is the best leader. That is what the primaries are for. The winner will have proven to be the best leader.

January 7, 2008 03:53 pm at 3:53 pm |

tony, Mount Vernon, NY

I'm glad Hillary thinks this is personal. It is personal! She needs to keep fighting for us Americans that aren't so blind as to buy into the "I'll bring change because I say so" arguement being thrown around by her competitors. When asked during the debate what they considered their biggest accomplishments on the job Edwards pointed to a bill that didn't pass and Obama pointed to a bill with more holes in it then a good piece of Swiss Cheese. Even Charlie Gibson laughed at Obama's answer.

The media has chosen their candidate, but they're wrong. Remember how great the media was to President Bush when he said he was going to be "a uniter, not a divider". We've seen this before and it's a shame it's happening again. Sound Americans should see through this because if we don't, we're headed for, to coin an Obama insult, how ironic coming from the change agent, another "Bush/Cheney light" President in Barack Obama himself.

January 7, 2008 03:54 pm at 3:54 pm |

I'm voting for change

Some days pizza is easier, and I'm tired everyday, but there isn't anybody waiting around to do my hair...GROW UP and PUT ON YOUR BIG GIRL PANTIES SISTER! All you did here was the same thing you do in every speech you give...skirt the real issues...you and your husband couldn't answer a question honestly if came up and bit you in the rear!!